Falkirk 0-0 Hearts

Hearts were held to a draw by Scottish Premier League bottom club Falkirk in a game bereft of excitement.

Andrew Driver missed an excellent early chance for Hearts and Bairns goalkeeper Dani Mallo saved well from David Obua's header before half-time.

Driver had Hearts' best chance after the interval but his weak right-footed shot allowed Mallo to make a comfortable save.

Falkirk threatened little throughout as they ended a three-match losing streak.

The result means Falkirk remain four points behind Inverness while third-place Hearts maintain a five-point gap over Dundee United.

Driver saw his header deflected wide by Tam Scobbie in the visitors' opening attack before Falkirk's Michael Higdon failed to connect with Neil McCann's cross.

Deployed on the right in the first half, Driver was heavily involved in Hearts' attacking play in the early stages and the winger should have done better in the 12th minute when he contrived to shoot wide after being released by Bruno Aguiar's pass.

Falkirk then conceded a dubious free-kick from which Aguiar sent a dangerous ball into the six-yard box, but the home defence scrambled to safety as Marius Zaliukas threatened.

After McCann and Hearts captain Robbie Neilson had received treatment for a clash of heads, Driver crossed for Obua to send a downward header towards goal and Mallo had to be alert to tip the ball over.
Lee Walalce and Scott Arfield
Lee Wallace and Scott Arfield challenge for possession

Moments later, Aguiar flashed a shot wide as Hearts' territorial advantage continued.

The Bairns were struggling to get the ball out of their own half but managed to contain Hearts' advances as the first half drew to a close.

The hosts started the second period more positively and Burton O'Brien's cross was headed into the arms of goalkeeper Marian Kello by Higdon.

O'Brien felled Neilson right on the edge of the Hearts penalty area and referee Eddie Smith elected to award a free-kick rather than a penalty.

Falkirk were on the back foot again as Lee Wallace carried the ball over the halfway line and put Driver in on the left but, after beating his man, the 21-year-old shot tamely into the arms of Mallo.

At the other end, O'Brien's cross towards Darren Barr caused Kello to hesitate as he came from his line but the danger was cleared.

Substitute Christian Nade had an effort blocked after latching onto Driver's cutback before Obua fired over Mallo's goal from 20 yards.

And neither side were able to carve out a crucial opening in the closing stages.

Falkirk manager John Hughes:
"I'm disappointed that we never picked up three points. We need to win football matches.

"In terms of keeping a clean sheet, I'm delighted. The spirit and the effort was unquestionable. In terms of the quality, I've seen us a little bit better.

"Maybe on another day, it might just go for us.

"Hearts were looking dangerous from set pieces and they're quite a big side but all credit to the boys, they stood up to that.

"We had a couple of wee close things.

"We played just a wee bit too much to Higdon but everything else was great so we'll take the positives and hopefully we can build on it."

Hearts manager Csaba Laszlo:
"We had a lot of chances and we didn't use the chances but that is football.

"If you take one point away from home, it's very important.

"Falkirk are fighting for their life and it's not easy to win a game against them.

"We did not have the luck, especially in the first half. In the first 10 minutes we had two or three very, very clear chances.

"Today was not the day for us to score the goals.

"Falkirk played the long ball and we defended very well. I don't think Falkirk had any shots."

Falkirk: Dani Mallo, McNamara, Pressley, Barr, Scobbie, Cregg (Robertson 79), Arfield, Riera, O'Brien, McCann, Higdon.
Subs Not Used: Olejnik, Bullen, Holden, McBride, Aafjes, Mitchell.

Booked: Higdon, Riera.

Hearts: Kello, Neilson, Karipidis, Zaliukas, Lee Wallace, Aguiar, Stewart (Nade 69), Palazuelos, Driver, Obua, Elliot (Mrowiec 78).
Subs Not Used: MacDonald, Tullberg, Cesnauskis, Jonsson, McGowan.

Booked: Palazuelos, Aguiar.

Att: 6,156

Ref: E Smith

BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: Falkirk's Dani Mallo and Hearts' Andrew Driver 7.00 (on 90 minutes).

Taken from the BBC